Vegan Kids Nutrition: Recent Episodes

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Ever wondered how other vegan parents navigate certain social situations, like birthday parties or school events?

I sure have. Navigating a vegan feeding journey can sometimes feel lonely and knowing what others do or how others handle certain challenges helps us not feel so isolated.

In Episode 21, I invite Mistye Momon from Buttafly Kisses Vegan Treats to share some of the challenges she experienced throughout her 22 years in raising a vegan family—with five kids.

Here’s what we cover:

How baking for her child’s needs to participate in birthday celebrations led her to start a vegan business
The anxiety that she experienced on how to navigate birthday invitations beyond desserts
Food examples that Mistye brought to birthday celebrations for her vegan children
How Mistye found confidence to advocate for herself and vegan children
The comments Mistye heard about her choice in raising a vegan family 22 years ago
The challenges she faced with healthcare providers
Top meal ideas for feeding a large family

Links mentioned on the episode

Buttafly Kisses Vegan Treats website
Mistye Momon Instagram account
Vegan Meal Ideas for Toddlers and Kids

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Want to learn what supplements your vegan kids need at each stage of their growth? Grab the FREE Supplement Checklist so you can feel confident you're providing everything they need to support their growth and development.

Click here to grab the FREE Supplement Checklist

Connect with me:

Website: www.vegankidsnutrition.com

Instagram: @vegan.kids.nutrition

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Send Karla a message

Calcium is a nutrient many parents and caregivers feel worried they’re not meeting in their child’s meals. It’s common to feel that way as it’s a nutrient that helps build stronger bones and teeth—crucial for support a vegan child’s overall growth.

In this episode of the Vegan Kids Nutrition Podcast, you’ll hear about a vegan parent’s concern in meeting their child’s calcium needs and what top plant foods you can incorporate at home to help meet calcium requirements.

Here’s what we cover:

Highlighting a previous newsletter article as part of PLANTiful
The story of a past client who felt extremely worried about their vegan toddler’s calcium needs
A feeding approach to move away from to relieve anxiety
My top calcium-rich plant foods that help vegan kids meet calcium requirements

Links mentioned in the episode

Join over 8,000 parents receiving exclusive nutrition tips in PLANTiful, a monthly newsletter
Schedule a coaching call with me for feeding support

Read the Transcript

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Want to learn what supplements your vegan kids need at each stage of their growth? Grab the FREE Supplement Checklist so you can feel confident you're providing everything they need to support their growth and development.

Click here to grab the FREE Supplement Checklist

Connect with me:

Website: www.vegankidsnutrition.com

Instagram: @vegan.kids.nutrition

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Send Karla a message

A recent study looked at iodine content of plant-based products in the Swiss market. On a broader scale, it gives us a perspective of how iodine content in plant-based foods impact overall nutrition for our vegan kids.

In today’s episode, we take a look at the iodine content in plant-based products in the Swiss market, why is iodine so important for growing vegan kids, and how our food system can make progress in the making of plant-based products.

Here’s what we cover:

Data of iodine content of Swiss market on plant-based milk, plant-based cheese, plant-based yogurt, and fish alternative
How iodine content lacks in plant-based products in other countries
What is iodine and why is it important for growing vegan kids
Are fruits and vegetables enough for meeting iodine needs?
A look of iodine content from a global perspective
My professional thoughts about iodine content in pre-packaged plant-based foods
How to meet iodine needs for a vegan baby, vegan toddler, and older vegan kids

Links mentioned in the episode

Supplement Guide for Vegan Kids
Swiss study on iodine content of plant-based foods
Iodine for vegan kids and teens: what every parent should know about meeting this essential nutrient

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Want to learn what supplements your vegan kids need at each stage of their growth? Grab the FREE Supplement Checklist so you can feel confident you're providing everything they need to support their growth and development.

Click here to grab the FREE Supplement Checklist

Connect with me:

Website: www.vegankidsnutrition.com

Instagram: @vegan.kids.nutrition

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Some of the most common challenges I continue to hear from vegan parents like yourself is how to feed, what to cook, and what foods to focus on for your vegan picky eater.

In today’s episode, we discuss a common feeding practice to “get” picky eaters to eat a particular food they’re avoiding or refusing to eat—hiding foods in mixed or prepared dishes. I share my honest thoughts about this feeding practice and what you can do instead to help your picky eater broaden their food acceptance. I’ll also share why chia seeds are a great daily use for supporting the growth of your vegan picky eaters.

Here’s what we cover:

A recap of my own experience with picky eating with my oldest daughter
The most common food where foods are hidden for picky eaters
Why hiding foods for your picky eater is a disservice to their feeding journey
How hiding foods can make picky eating behaviors worse
The nutrients of chia seeds and why they are great for your vegan picky eater
Ways to use chia seeds in your meal planning

Links mentioned in the episode

Blog Article - 26 Vegan Meal Ideas for Toddlers and Kids
Episode 12 - How I do it: Boost Vegetable Intake with these 5 Strategies
Vegan Kids Cookbook
FREE Picky Eating Guide

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If you're raising a vegan baby and are about to start solids, set yourself and your baby up for success by knowing how to offer a variety of foods with my FREE 100+ Plant-Based Foods for your vegan baby. Grab your copy of the handout here: https://vegankidsnutrition.ck.page/50cf6f1673

Connect with me:

Website: www.vegankidsnutrition.com

Instagram: @vegan.kids.nutrition

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A child’s eating habits are developed early in childhood and as parents, how we approach feeding our vegan kids directly impacts their eating habits.

In today’s episode, I am sharing my own eating and meal challenges I experienced with my oldest daughter during her time at a new pre-school. I share how her anxiety around food stemmed from the feeding environment she experienced at school and how that impacted her overall eating.

You’ll walk away with knowing what to do at home to foster healthy eating habits long-term and continue supporting your child’s growth.

Here’s what we cover:

A look into the four common parental feeding styles and how that impacts a child’s eating
How my oldest daughter’s picky eating significantly changed with a certain feeding style and environment at school
My top 4 recommendations to do at home to foster healthy eating habits long-term
How a child can regulate their own intake with more autonomy
What I did to transform meal time battles into more food acceptance
The power of food play to help your vegan child try and accept plant-based foods

Links mentioned in the episode

Episode 12 - How I do it: Boost vegetable intake with these 5 strategies
Vegan Kids Nutrition Blueprint course

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If you're raising a vegan baby and are about to start solids, set yourself and your baby up for success by knowing how to offer a variety of foods with my FREE 100+ Plant-Based Foods for your vegan baby. Grab your copy of the handout here: https://vegankidsnutrition.ck.page/50cf6f1673

Connect with me:

Website: www.vegankidsnutrition.com

Instagram: @vegan.kids.nutrition

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Whether you choose to raise your kids on a vegan diet for ethical reasons or for health reasons or environmental reasons or all the above, you may know that feeding your kids a vegan diet can support their growth and development.

However, many outside the vegan community continue to question whether a vegan diet is actually nutritionally adequate for a child. And even strongly oppose a vegan diet for children, saying a vegan diet is cruel or dangerous for a growing child.

In today’s episode, I am debunking three myths about a vegan diet for children to bring awareness and to finally show that kids who follow a vegan diet can grow into healthy humans.

Here’s what we cover:

How a vegan diet can be nutritionally adequate at every stage of growth
Why is meat and dairy so central to society’s meal plan?
The nutrients that are believed to be missing on a plant-based diet
Why non-heme iron from plant-based foods is more advantageous
How the animal agriculture industry is one of the biggest industries that intentionally inflict pain and suffering
Is a vegan diet more expensive than an omnivore diet?

Links mentioned in the episode

Ep 1. Is a vegan diet unsafe for children?
Vegan Kids Nutrition Blueprint course

Read the transcript here

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If you're raising a vegan baby and are about to start solids, set yourself and your baby up for success by knowing how to offer a variety of foods with my FREE 100+ Plant-Based Foods for your vegan baby. Grab your copy of the handout here: https://vegankidsnutrition.ck.page/50cf6f1673

Connect with me:

Website: www.vegankidsnutrition.com

Instagram: @vegan.kids.nutrition

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Protein is the primary food to focus our meals around…or is it?

We often hear about the importance of protein and that without enough of it, our bodies can’t thrive—especially that of vegan kids. Many of us want to ensure that our vegan kids are meeting their protein needs but often feel worried they’re not getting enough from the amount they eat at meal times.

In today’s podcast episode, I’m sharing the truth about how important protein is for vegan kids and how you can feel reassured that they’re getting enough.

Here’s what we cover:

Brief background on the Food Guide Pyramid and how society has placed so much emphasis on protein
The two major macronutrients that vegan kids need to support their growth
Percent of calories that vegan kids need from protein in their diet
Do vegan kids need protein powder?
Top sources of plant protein
How to ensure you’re meeting your vegan kids protein needs without calculating anything

Links mentioned on this episode

Vegan Kids Nutrition Blueprint course
Vegan Kids Cookbook

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If you're raising a vegan baby and are about to start solids, set yourself and your baby up for success by knowing how to offer a variety of foods with my FREE 100+ Plant-Based Foods for your vegan baby. Grab your copy of the handout here: https://vegankidsnutrition.ck.page/50cf6f1673

Connect with me:

Website: www.vegankidsnutrition.com

Instagram: @vegan.kids.nutrition

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“How do you respectfully put a baby in a high chair when they're fighting/kicking because they don't like to be strapped in?”

Feeding our vegan kids is hard work and when you add other elements to this, like navigating how to sit your child on their high chair, this task only feels more overwhelming. 

In today’s episode, I’m revealing three common reasons why your vegan baby may be resisting sitting in their high chair. You’ll also hear a helpful tool that I use with my two girls that ensures they know what to expect as meal time approaches. 

Here’s what we cover: 

A brief update to how I plan on sharing content on my platforms
How a baby communicates about their appetite 
What to consider when establishing meal time routines/schedules
The requirements of a high chair to ensure it’s comfortable for your vegan baby
My favorite high chair and the one I use for my two daughters
Why portion sizes matter when feeding your vegan baby
What I tell my daughters to help them through a transition 

Links mentioned in the episode

FREE Starting Solids with Baby Led Weaning Guide
Stokke Tripp Trapp High Chair (affiliate link)

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“Really struggling to see how we can get sufficient choline even with a good spread of plant-based sources”.

This was a message from a vegan parent I received on social media. They have heard that choline is important for the growth of vegan kids but question how to actually meet their child’s needs. And many other vegan parents question too, especially when their vegan child is a picky eater or when they perceive their child isn’t eating enough.

In today’s podcast, I am sharing two simple tips of how you can meet your child’s choline needs on a vegan diet and how choline supports the growth of your vegan kids.

Here’s what we cover:

A brief recap of my life events (i.e. I welcomed a new vegan family member!)
What is choline and it’s role in supporting a vegan child’s growth and development
How much choline do vegan kids need at each stage of growth
Plant-based food sources with the highest amount of choline
The one plant food that can help meet choline needs for vegan kids
How to think about meal planning so that you feel reassured your kids are meeting their choline needs

Links mentioned in the episode

Episode 9 - The Most Important Thing to Implement and Help Vegan Kids Try Foods
Vegan Kids Nutrition Blueprint course

Read the Transcript

References

1. “Choline.” VeganHealth.org, veganhealth.org/choline/#functions.
2. “Office of Dietary Supplements - Choline.” NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Choline-HealthProfessional/.

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Do you have a picky eater at home? Are you feeling overwhelmed at your vegan child not eating or trying their vegetables? As a vegan parent myself, I know the challenges that come with feeding a child that chooses not to eat their vegetables during a meal. It can bring up feelings of frustration, stress, and anxiety—feelings that I know you can overcome.

Which is why in today’s episode, I’m pulling back the curtains and sharing my top strategies on what I do at home to help my daughter try and eat her vegetables. When you implement these strategies into your own feeding journey, you’re not only going to feel a sense of relief and excitement in helping your vegan kids boost their vegetable intake but you’ll feel proud of continuing to raise a vegan child with healthful eating habits as well.

Please note that these strategies are not geared toward vegan kids with extreme picky eating, extreme limited food acceptance (less than 5-10 foods), sensory or texture aversions, or other medical condition that may exacerbate picky eating.

Here’s what we cover:

The sense of responsibility in parents that trigger our emotions
How offering opportunities enables your vegan child to eat vegetables
How I offer opportunities to my daughter and the time of day
The benefits of serving family style and when you can begin this feeding approach
Why involving your vegan kids in food preparation increases vegetable intake
An example of how I let my daughter be involved in food prep
Why eating vegetables with your kids helps and how I do this with my daughter
How having an agenda for our kids doesn’t serve us or our vegan kids and what to do instead

Links mentioned on the podcast:

FREE Vegan Picky Eating Guide
Episode 9 - The Most Important Thing to Implement and Help Vegan Kids Try Plant Foods

Read the Transcript

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Have you ever been judged, received a negative comment, or simply felt unsupported of your choice for raising vegan kids? I’m going to take a guess here and say: yes.

It’s so common for so many vegan families to be looked down upon simply because of the dietary pattern we have chosen for our family. This leaves us feeling unsupported and for some of us doubtful of how we are feeding our vegan children.

In today’s episode, I’m sharing with you a behind the scenes look of how raising kids on a vegan lifestyle feels like an everyday uphill battle. While this is primarily based on my personal experience, I felt called to share because I know that many of you will resonate with it. That’s why I’ll share with you the one true thing you should always carry with you to feel confident throughout your vegan family journey.

Here’s what we cover:

How receiving negative comments makes us question our choice
What you should carry throughout your journey to best handle negative situations
My personal journey on what I’m still learning in raising a vegan family
A personal story of encounter with a colleague who is not on board with a vegan diet for kids
The professional uphill battle of advocating a vegan lifestyle for children
How we all deserve to feel supported of our lifestyle of choice
The impact you are making in our world despite the judgement from others

Links mentioned in the episode

Episode 4 - How to turn negative comments into a lifestyle you are proud of
FREE Essential Starter Kit for Feeding Vegan Kids

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Raising a vegan family is much more than offering healthful plant foods. It’s about ensuring that adequate nutrition is provided to support our vegan kids growth and development.

In today’s episode, I’m sharing with you the 5 healthful habits for vegan families to implement so that children healthfully thrive on a vegan lifestyle. Ultimately, whether you'll be starting to implement these habits or already following a few, you'll feel confident that you're doing everything you need to do to support your kids growth and development.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

The plant foods to prioritize
Why focusing on calcium is important for a vegan child’s growth
How supplementation is key on a vegan diet
How a past client changed family meal dynamics to support her child’s growth
Why having routine or rhythm in meals and snacks helps vegan kids thrive
The benefits that come for your vegan child by having family meals

Links mentioned in the episode

Best Plant Milk for Vegan Children
Tahini Dressing
Vegan Kids Nutrition Blueprint program

References

1. Harrison, Megan E, et al. “Systematic Review of the Effects of Family Meal Frequency on Psychosocial Outcomes in Youth.” Canadian Family Physician Medecin De Famille Canadien, College of Family Physicians of Canada, Feb. 2015, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4325878/
2. U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025. 9th Edition. December 2020. Available at DietaryGuidelines.gov. (PDF)

Read the Transcript Here

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Have you ever served a meal to your vegan toddler or child only to feel frustrated that they didn’t touch certain vegetables? Meal planning for your vegan kids can often feel overwhelming when they choose not to touch, try, or eat certain plant foods—like vegetables.

You try different strategies like getting them fun utensils or cutting foods in fun shapes but they still don’t seem interested. And this causes more anxiety on not knowing how to actually “get” your vegan child to try them. Naturally when this happens, we begin to label them as picky eater.

In today’s episode, I’m sharing with you what you can do at home to help your vegan kids try new, plant foods. This strategy is not for kids who have extreme picky eating (less than 5 foods) or other eating disorders (like anxiety of ARFID) but more for vegan kids who feel hesitant to try certain vegetables or plant foods.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

My personal story of toilet training my daughter (and how this mirrors how we approach our selective eaters)
How our own attitude affects our vegan children’s eating habits
Why children desire to do things on their own
The message we send when we intervene with their food choices
How allowing our vegan kids to lead at the dining table helps them try vegetables
One simple phrase you can say to help your vegan kids feel trusted with their food choices

Links mentioned in the episode

• FREE Picky Eating Guide

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For many first time vegan parents, starting solids is both an exciting and overwhelming time. Many feel excited to start Baby Led Weaning on their vegan journey and others feel concerned about chocking, what first foods to offer, what equipment is needed like the best high chair, and what nutrients does a vegan baby need in this stage of growth. These are all concerns I had too when my daughter was about to start her vegan Baby Led Weaning journey!

In this episode, I am sharing with you the 5 things you need to successfully start solids—whether starting with puree or Baby Led Weaning—so that you feel confident throughout your journey.

Here’s what we cover:

My personal challenge in starting Baby Led Weaning with my vegan daughter

Answering the question of: “Can you wean your baby on a vegan diet?”

Why having patience is important at the start of solids

What it means when your vegan baby spits out food and what to do about it

What to look for when considering a high chair

My number one recommendation for the best high chair for your baby

Why an open cup is better than a sippy cup or 360 cup

How dietary fat is important when starting solids and what plant foods you can provide

Links mentioned on the episode:

Free Vegan Baby Led Weaning Guide

First Foods for Vegan Baby Blog Post

The Vegan Baby Led Weaning Program (step-by-step online course to starting solids)

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Meal planning for your vegan kids can sometimes feel overwhelming. Some vegan parents feel concerned that they may be missing certain nutrients, others feel stuck on what to prepare for dinner or even school-lunch boxes, and others may feel like they’re just not good enough, leaving them feeling concerned about their vegan child’s overall diet.

The truth is that you can have more clarity and confidence in meal planning for your vegan family. And in today’s episode, I’m sharing with you the stories of two past clients who had these same challenges around meal planning but worked their way to feeling confident.  

Here’s what we cover:

• A quote around the fears and worries a vegan parent shared with me
• The story behind how Kim broke free from the anxiety around feeding her vegan baby
• The story of how Fernanda found clarity on how to meal plan for her picky eater
• The one thing you can focus on to move forward in feeling confident as a vegan parent
• A simple strategy to simplify your meal planning

Links mentioned in the podcast

• Cherry Green Pea Smoothie
• Vegan Kids Nutrition Blueprint course
• FREE Essential Starter Kit for Feeding Vegan Kids

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Your vegan kids need iron to support their growth and development. And if you’re already saying “C’mon Karla, I knew that already”. Well, hear me about because not all vegan parents focus their attention on this crucial nutrient during childhood.

In today’s episode, I’m sharing three simple yet proven strategies that can instantly help your vegan child meet their iron needs so that you have peace of mind that you’re doing the right things in feeding your kids a vegan diet.

Here’s what we cover:

How iron helps support a vegan child’s growth
The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia during childhood
Why meal planning around legumes is important
How vitamin C helps with iron absorption
Can using a cast iron pot help?

Mentioned Links

Vegan Kids Cookbook
Vegan Kids Nutrition Blueprint course

References

1. Alexy, U., Fischer, M., Weder, S., Längler, A., Michalsen, A., Sputtek, A., & Keller, M. (2021). Nutrient Intake and Status of German Children and Adolescents Consuming Vegetarian, Vegan or Omnivore Diets: Results of the VeChi Youth Study. Nutrients, 13(5), 1707. doi:10.3390/nu13051707
2. Alves, C., Saleh, A., & Alaofè, H. (2019). Iron-containing cookware for the reduction of iron deficiency anemia among children and females of reproductive age in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review. Plos One, 14(9). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0221094
3. Anemia in Children and Teens: Parent FAQs. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/chronic/Pages/Anemia-and-Your-Child.aspx
4. Baroni, L., Goggi, S., & Battino, M. (2019). Planning Well-Balanced Vegetarian Diets in Infants, Children, and Adolescents: The VegPlate Junior. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 119(7), 1067-1074. doi:10.1016/j.jand.2018.06.008
5. Janus, J., & Moerschel, S. (2010). Evaluation of Anemia in Children. American Academy of Family Physicians, 81(12), 1462-1471.
6. Messina, V., & Mangels, A. R. (2001). Considerations in Planning Vegan Diets. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 101(6), 661-669. doi:10.1016/s0002-8223(01)00167-5
7. Sharieff, W., Dofonsou, J., & Zlotkin, S. (2008). Is cooking food in iron pots an appropriate solution for the control of anaemia in developing countries? A randomised clinical trial in Benin. Public Health Nutrition,11(9), 971-977. doi:10.1017/s1368980007001139

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Many families who choose to feed their vegan baby with infant formulas are often unsure whether soy-based infant formulas are safe. For majority of vegan parents, they fear that soy may have adverse effects on the growth and development of their baby. And for others, they wonder if a formula made from soy protein isolate is suitable for their vegan lifestyle.

In today’s episode, I’m sharing some insights about how soy-based infant formula can support your baby’s growth and development. So that you ultimately feel confident feeding your vegan baby with formula.

Here’s what we cover:

My personal journey in nursing and the one reason I used infant formula to feed my daughter
The nutritional profile of what makes a soy-based infant formula adequate for infants
Why infant formulas contain sweeteners like corn syrup solids and their purpose in nutrition
How soy does not have negative reproductive outcomes
Is there currently a vegan infant formula on the market?
How a homemade recipe for a vegan infant formula is not appropriate
Why formulas marketed for toddlers are not adequate for infants

Links mentioned in this episode

• Vegan Kids Cookbook
• Episode 3 - Breaking down top 3 misconceptions on soy foods

References

1. Bhatia, J., & Greer, F. (2008). Use of Soy Protein-Based Formulas in Infant Feeding. Pediatrics, 121(5), 1062-1068. doi:10.1542/peds.2008-0564
2. Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. (n.d.). Questions & Answers for Consumers Concerning Infant Formula. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/food/people-risk-foodborne-illness/questions-answers-consumers-concerning-infant-formula#:~:text=March 1, 2006.-,Does FDA have nutrient specifications for infant formulas?,for 9 of those nutrients.
3. Choosing an Infant Formula. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/formula-feeding/Pages/Choosing-an-Infant-Formula.aspx
4. Commentary On Breast-Feeding And Infant Formulas, Including Proposed Standards For Formulas. (2009). Nutrition Reviews, 34(8), 248-256. doi:10.1111/j.1753-4887.1976.tb05782.x
5. Messina, V., & Mangels, A. R. (2001). Considerations in Planning Vegan Diets. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 101(6), 661-669. doi:10.1016/s0002-8223(01)00167-5
6. Tuohy, P. (2003). Review Article. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health,39(6), 401-405. doi:10.1046/j.1440-1754.2003.00178.x

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If you’ve ever been shamed, ridiculed or judged for choosing to raise your children on a vegan lifestyle, let me start off by saying I’m sorry. No parent—regardless of their chosen eating pattern—should ever have to experience this.

It is too often that I hear from vegan parents just like you about negative experiences with family, friends, or healthcare providers simply because of the way you have chosen to raise your family. Yet, what others don’t see (or choose not to see) is that this is a lifestyle that brings more good to this world and for all of us in the vegan community, this is a lifestyle that feels right to us.

So, in today’s episode, I’m giving you my exact framework for how I personally navigate negative comments and experiences when it comes to raising my own daughter on a vegan diet. This is a 4-step framework with suggestion phrases that you can say so that you ultimately feel confident in voicing your beliefs and values. And more importantly, in feeling proud as a vegan parent.

Here’s what we cover:

A visual exercise that continues to excite you about following a vegan lifestyle
My 4 tips on what to do or say when someone shares a negative comment
Why ignorance isn’t the only reason others say negative comments to vegan parents
How acknowledging rather than justifying our values goes along way
The number one reason for remembering your ‘why’ for raising vegan children

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Vegan Kids Cookbook (recipes + meal plan)

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I’m going to take a guess here and say that perhaps you’ve heard in the media or social media that soy foods are “bad” and should be avoided in your family’s vegan diet.

Many vegan parents like yourself have heard negative health outcomes for the consumption of soy foods like tofu, tempeh, and soy milk. This has left you with some doubts about the use of soy foods in your vegan child’s meals and snacks.

In today’s episode, I am breaking down the top 3 most common misconceptions about the use of soy foods in our children’s vegan diet.

Here’s what we cover:

• The nutritional profile of soy foods and how they fit in supporting a child’s growth
• What the difference is between phytoestrogen and estrogen
• How soy foods does not cause feminization in boys or male humans
• How consumption of soy foods early in life can reduce risk of developing breast cancer
• What are genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and how this relates to soy consumption

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Vegan Kids Cookbook (recipes + meal plan)

References

• Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. (n.d.). Agricultural Biotechnology. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/food/consumers/agricultural-biotechnology
• The Top 5 Soy Myths (2014). Today’s Dietitian, 16(4).Retrieved from https://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/040114p52.shtml
• The Soy Connection (2019). The Health Impact of Childhood Soy Consumption. United Soybean Board and the Soy Nutrition Institute, 27(3).

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Have you ever felt unsure about the amount of food your infant, toddler, or child eats at a particular meal?

Many vegan parents just like yourself often feel worried that your vegan baby, toddler, and/or child didn’t eat “enough”. This in turn makes you feel concerned whether or not they’re meeting their nutrient needs on a vegan diet. And so, naturally as a parent, you react based on that underlying fear of not meeting your child’s nutritional needs on a vegan diet. And this fear then leads to you intervening in some way or form.

Say goodbye to that worry because today you’ll learn the top strategies I follow myself and teach to my clients to feel confident as a vegan parent.

On today’s episode, I’m sharing with you my top 3 strategies to feel more at ease with the amount of food your vegan kids eat any particular meal.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• How a child’s stomach size impacts their appetite
• How observing your child helps you learn their usual intake
• Why trusting your child’s appetite helps you feel more confident with what they eat
• Intervening in any way can impact your vegan child’s relationship with food, and thus overall intake
• How role modeling plays a role in the amount your child chooses to eat

Links mentioned in this episode:

• FREE Essential Starter Kit to Feeding Vegan Kids

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In this episode, Karla dives into answering the question of whether a vegan diet is unsafe to support the growth of children. And if so, what makes the diet unsafe. You'll discovery the one meal planning strategy to begin implementing in your meals so that you feel reassured in supporting the growth and develop for your kids at each stage of growth. 

Links mentioned in this episode: 

• FREE Essential Starter Kit for Feeding Vegan Kids